"What's in a name?" He asked.
Mikoto knowing he expected an answer, lowered her head, wiped the corner of her eye. "It's what someone is called… It's given by their parents." She said with hints of pain in her tone. She sniffled, lifting her head, took a breath, glared at him, mentally beating him down.
"that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet….he grinned "Close…" Ronan said, letting the corners of his mouth creep up, "but not quite…" He tilted his head, well…" His eyelids lowered seeing the redness of her eyes and cheek, "was she crying?" glancing over to Anastasia, who was glaring back at him, sensing her accusatory nature behind the daggers she was shooting at him. He arched his eyebrows, "what did I do?" He sighed, resigning to take the blame for whatever it was, crossed his arms over his chest and leaned on the windowsill behind him.
A name means everything. It represents a person, place or thing, an event even. Just saying it could instill fear and loathing to joy and respect." He gave a slow nod, leaning his back against the edge of the large window. If I say to you…. Grathe. could you tell me what do you think of it? Mikoto shook her head back and forth. It doesn't mean…
Ronan interrupted, "if I say Elaina Grathe…what would it mean. Mikoto's eyes opened wide in recognition. She had been standing by Ronan's side. She had only been told introduced as Elaina, queen of the western kingdom. Ronan sighed, showing a little grin. What about Corrina Oldenburg. Mikoto let out a breath, she was standing next to you. Ronan nodded, seeing her acknowledgement.
A name gives you hints about who you are dealing with. In this world of vampires and wolves and a few humans. A name says it all. Elaina Grathe, Corrina Oldenburg. Corrina serves Elaina, Elaina serves Anastasia Von Alucard. Who rules the four kingdoms. Attack one, you attack them all. Respect one, you respect them all. He said, letting out a breath.
Is that why…she asked, wanting to know why he hadn't given his name to Wismar. Ronan shrugged his shoulders, maybe…maybe its because I'm an arrogant ass or maybe because I just don't care. Or maybe…" he straightened his back, turned his attention to the young wolf standing to the right of Wismar. He dropped his hands to his side, stepped away from the windowsill. And slipped loose small leather straps wrapped around the handle of two swords, attached to his thighs. The handles wrapped in old worn leather sat snug on top of a wide, as wide as his palms, rectangular sheath that ran from his waist to the top of his knees. It was an odd shape for the sheath of a sword. It looked more like it covered a very long cleaver style weapon.
"Maybe…" Mikoto said, letting her voice go silent, following his gaze to the young wolf. She wanted to know why he hadn't given his name or the fact Wismar had been so insistent on asking his name. and why Anastasia never said his name in front of Wismar.
The young wolf, now standing by the outside corner of the desk. A lot closer from where he had landed when he was thrown into Wismar as Alusia left the room. "I'm a lot quicker with these."
She heard Ronan saying, the words peppered with the hints of a challenge, leaning his head to the right. She saw his eyes inviting the young wolf to try. The young wolf, the skin of his neck strained tight, flushed the dark red of anger, sticking his head out in an aggressive posture.
She also saw Ronan's thumbs casually push the two hilts up, lifting the blades slowly like a sunrise. Its blades gleamed over the edge of the rough edges of the sheath. His thumb pressed against the edge of the brilliantly shining blades and blood slipped across it smooth surface. Mikoto's mouth watered remembering its taste, swallowed, savory its flavor. Deep lines grew across her forehead seeing the rivulets of red, as the droplets pooled and slowly, as if drawn, faded into the blade. a pulse surged across the room.
Mikoto looked at Anastasia, did it just…she couldn't believe. Anastasia nodded, queen spoke, it pulsed. She said, like a heartbeat. she added. I've never felt anything like it…It was…. heavy…darker than your queens' intent. Mikoto queen spoke.
I have. Anastasia answered. Boudicca's sword gives off the same power. Especially when she feeds her blood to it."
What…?
Anastasia, looking like a beautiful mannequin spoke with still lips, her blues eyes opened wide with a killer's intent. Chills rushed over Mikoto as she drank in her image. Her cheeks blushed as she wet her lips, feeling a little warmer. Anastasia hinted a smile, barely letting her eyelids slip. Aren't you getting a little ahead of…
Mikoto blushed, thinned her eyes and glared. Don't even. She snapped. I'm watching them, so don't even think I'm just focused on you…jerk!" her rose colored eyes darted away but kept her image in the corner of her eye. Embarrassed at admitting it.
"Demetrius…"
Mikoto raised her head, hearing the name. it was the name of the young wolf. The second son of Wismar.
What?" Demetrius growled, we can take him now. He said, loud enough for everyone to hear, clenching his fist tight, inched a little closer, If he dies now, there is no claim. Right? He said. Wismar slowly shook his head, even though he admired his young sons' exuberance. The problem was his timing was sometimes a little off.
"father. We can… keeping his angry eyes on Ronan. "we can what? my foolish son." He answered, his massive chest expanded with a deep breath, the shredded uniform held loosely over his frame. He reached up, grabbed his long wet heavy hair and pulled it out of his face. Despite the toll the quick change had taken on his body, he still showed the strength brood males were known for. He pulled his shoulder back, stretched and popped his neck. Looked at his son, what would you like to do? He asked his inexperience well-meaning son.
"you kill him…" jerking his head to Ronan, "I'll hold them off and you leave through the window." he said in a raised voice, pointing at the window. Wismar grinned at his son's suggestion. Putting him first. Foolish boy… He closed his eyes, shaking his head. there was no way he'd sacrifice his son. He wanted to laugh out loud, proud of his son's foolish loud suggestion.
Mikoto's eyes popped, her mouth dropped. Did he tell us his plan? Anastasia finally moved her head, few quick nodes ending with a slight tilt. 'yes, he did…it's a good plan she said.
Huh?
Sure…Anastasia, looked over her shoulder to Mikoto, with her eyebrows raised, mouth puckered in a I'd do it too expression. "really!?" Mikoto scrunched her face. But wouldn't he
He'd get killed…she said, smacking her lips. I mean…yea…I'm sure I'd kill him…yep…she said in a feigning tone. Pretty damn sure I would…smacked her lips again. I'd enjoy it…not as much as killing Wismar but…ehhh she shrugged, keeping her pretty sure I would, please do it expression.
Mikoto looked her up and down feeling a little off, umm she thinned her eyes, but wouldn't that... You know kinda defeat the purpose of trying to stay alive. Until now, Ronan was going to let them leave alive. Right?
Anastasia nodded.
So, why would he…
I don't think he is thinking. And that could be a good thing.
Good thing?
Yes, good for me and bad for him…she smiled maliciously.
Mikoto looked at Anastasia, with her mouth opened as if she were caught in some sort of ethical dilemma, squeezing her eyes tight like she'd eaten something sour. Hmm…she quickly blinked her eyes, I see. She said, twisting her mouth, shaking her head. I should've known you'd say that. She sighed. Good for me, bad for him…she whispered.
tsk… she clicked her tongue in irritation.
"this window?" Ronan spoke, tapped the glass.
Demetrius growled as he crouched. Ronan amused, shook his head. you're not the sharpest tool in the shed but I will give you props." he said, it's not something I would do considering you could walk out of here alive…maybe deal with the problem later. But" he shrugged his shoulders, "I did say I preferred plan number two…" rolled his head back and forth, but you seemed to have forgotten something little wolf."
What?! he snapped. Ronan motioned his head, to the wolves standing at the door to the stockroom, standing in front of the large hole in the wall. To Anastasia's direction.
The young wolf looked over his shoulder to the wolves at the door then to Anastasia.
She raised her hand, smiled and wiggled her fingers in hello. Around her was Emma, who raised her hand and wiggled her fingers, and behind her was Sylvia, who gave a quick smile.
And next to her was Mikoto Misaka. Who gave him a quick who me surprise look. Heidi sighed, crossing her arms over her chest, shifted her hips, slapped her tail on the ground. And Emelia, standing behind Mikoto looking bored.
And what about the wolves standing outside…" Wismar said sternly, looking at his second son, his tone was harsh but in a kind teaching moment between father and son. The young wolf's arms flexed, his adrenalin burning up his veins, a little wound up, enough that his self control was barely under control, his right hand twitched as he looked at his father.
Ronan chuckled, "anyway…." He said, Mikoto Misaka…now you know a little of the power of a name, but it can also tell you Who they are, where they are from, who they are descended from…and why all things happen for a reason and there are no such things as coincidences in the underworld…he laughed, nice segue…" he took a step back, keeping his hand on the hilt of the sword on his hip, leaned against the wall, turned his head slightly and looked out the window.
"Mikoto, have you ever seen the movie Underworld?" he said looking past the trees in the distance.
